MEDIA — The Game On State arcade at 31 W. State St. in Media is filled with nostalgic candy treats and classic video games.
But there’s also something magical and heartfelt that happens when a person walks into Game on State. The arcade store is unique as a welcoming, inclusive environment where individuals with disabilities can learn job skills, socialize with friends, perform and work. They also interact with abled gamers over Skeeball, Dance-athon and Ninja Turtles pinball.
Families host birthday parties there, businesses do team-building exercises and individuals make new friends. Thursday and Friday afternoons are especially fun when the back room rocks with a weekly karaoke session for adults with intellectual disabilities. All of these talented individuals are learning job skills and making new friends through ANEWAY (a new way), a unique nonprofit program based at Game on State.
Pedro Otero-Hernandez, 27, Boothwyn, sings karaoke from his wheelchair. He also works at Game on State helping to clean the video games. John O’Malley, 53 of Media, dances at karaoke, but he is also starting a dog-walking business called Walk on State, assisted by his job coach.
Jake Spencer, 39, of Middletown Township channels Justin Timberlake’s vocal and dance moves with his karaoke performances, while honing his skills to be a charming emcee and disc jockey. ANEWAY founder Aimee Rubin opened Game on State in 2021 with the goal of providing jobs, volunteer opportunities and social programs for neurodiverse individuals. Nine individuals are now employed at Game on State, in the candy store and arcade or upstairs at Print on State creating individualized apparel.
Another 50 individuals volunteer or come for fun and friendship. Rubin said: “Our mission is to create jobs for people with disabilities. We achieve this by developing small businesses and modeling an inclusive hiring program within the community.
The small business model also creates social and programming opportunities.” Rubin and her Game on State crew will host an inaugural fundraiser. The talent showcase, ANEWAY to Shine, will be held 5 to 9 p.
m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Drexelbrook Event and Catering Center, 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill.
Tickets cost $100. The gala will kick off with a cocktail hour where people who want to make a difference can mingle. From 6 to 9 p.
m., guests will be treated to a lively display of talent, featuring performers from a diverse range of artists including the Media Theatre State Street Miracles. Special guest emcees include Joe Conklin and Glen Macnow.
The event has sponsorship opportunities, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw and more. To purchase tickets or be a sponsor visit www.anewayforpurpose.
org or call 610-986-9561. Tickets are also available at https://givebutter.com/ANEWAY2SHINE.
“ANEWAY relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations to create meaningful change in the lives of people with disabilities,” Rubin said. “By purchasing a ticket you are contributing to our efforts to provide employment opportunities and social programs that empower individuals with disabilities to thrive.” Rubin said that she hopes to expand ANEWAY locations to serve more people.
Neurodiverse individuals are being more accepted in the workplace, but opportunities are still limited and there are many barriers to success including accessible transportation, communication difficulties, safety concerns and other impediments. For more information about ANEWAY For Purpose, visit http://www.anewayforpurpose.
org. Media Arts Council to offer teen classes Media Arts Council will offer three teen classes this fall: MAC Radio Revolution, a radio journalism and production class; MAC Jazz After Class, which teaches jazz ensemble techniques; and MAC Film Initiative, a film production class. Radio Revolution, a new class this year, will take place at Neumann University’s WNUW radio station.
Students will get hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and learn a variety of production skills including digital editing, mixing, scoring, and voicing/mic techniques for both studio and field settings. The class is taught by Andrew Stelzer, an award-winning radio producer and news reporter based in Philadelphia. His radio work has been featured on dozens of programs, including NPR’s Weekend Edition.
He also brings unique experiences from teaching audio production at state prisons for KALW Radio and the prison-produced podcast, Uncuffed. Radio Revolution will meet at Neumann on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
from Sept. 25 to Dec. 4.
Jazz After Class, now in its third year, will continue with Temple Professor Jake Kelberman at its helm. The class guides students in grades 8 to 12 to develop skills for performing in small-group jazz ensembles. Jazz After Class will meet at Springton Lake Middle School on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.
m., from Sept. 23 to Nov.
25. MAC’s longest-running teen program, Media Arts Council Film Initiative — previously Media Youth Film Initiative — returns for its 12th year this fall. MACFI is driven by the idea that every young person has a valuable story to tell.
The class has been guided since 2012 by local filmmakers Hezekiah Lewis and Darryl Ridgeway and has resulted in over 35 short films. The student-produced films are shown each year at the Media Film Festival. A 2018 film, “Closeted,” also claimed an audience award from the BlackStar Film Festival.
MACFI will meet at the Media Youth Center on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from Sept.
25 to Dec. 4. Enrollments for all three classes are now open and generous scholarships are available.
Families can get more information at http://mediaartscouncil.org or by emailing MAC at [email protected].
MAC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to actively support local artists and integrate a wide range of arts into the life of the community. MAC achieves this mission by providing professional artists with opportunities to exhibit, sell, and/or perform, infusing Media with public art installations, providing arts education classes and offering community arts events. To learn more about or donate to MAC, call 484-445-4161 or go to: www.
mediaartscouncil.org. Entertainer invites community to ‘An Evening With the Legends’ Entertainer/Host Joe Staffieri will present Tommy Cono, “The Voice of Tribute,” along with Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey tribute artists, in concert Sunday, Nov.
3 at Drexelbrook Event Center, 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill. Doors will open at 3:15 p.m.
, with dinner at 4 p.m. and the show at 5 p.
m. “Tommy C” has been capturing the attention of fans nationwide, having recently recorded a duet with 1950s teen idol Frankie Avalon. After a hiatus of 45 years, Avalon went back into the recording studio with Cono to perform a duet of “Beauty School Drop Out.
” Cono also recorded a duet of “Sway” with the late Bobby Rydell, being the last musical artist to perform with Rydell before he passed away. Cono has performed alongside of Duprees, The Skyliners, The Tymes, Tony Orlando and more. Cono’s fans swoon as he takes his audiences back to the tunes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Frankie Valli, Elvis Presley and more.
In addition to Tommy Cono, Staffieri will also present acclaimed tribute artists J. Lucas, as Michael Jackson, and Jass Meagher as Mariah Carey. Tickets for “An Evening With The Legends” cost $65 and include the buffet dinner and the night of top-notch, nonstop entertainment.
To purchase or for more information, call Joe Staffieri at 610-745-2672. Our Stories Connect aims to foster unity through storytelling Media Fellowship House is hosting a second Our Stories Connect, dedicated to bridging divides and fostering understanding in an increasingly polarized world. This event series aims to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, empowering them to share their unique stories while creating a space for others to practice active listening.
“In a time when communities are often divided, creating spaces for meaningful conversation and connection is more important than ever,” said Makeda Redmond, program and outreach manager of Media Fellowship House. Our Stories Connect is an opportunity for community members to engage in constructive dialogue, challenge assumptions, and develop empathy by hearing each other’s experiences.” Those who find themselves struggling in conversations or relationships with those who have differing viewpoints are invited to this workshop and dialogue event which provides a constructive space to engage, learn, and grow.
The series will kick off with “Understanding Biases and Telling Your Story: A Workshop on Effective One-on-One Conversations,” 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.
22 at Park Avenue Community Center, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore. This immersive 21⁄2-hour workshop invites participants to master the art of storytelling while gaining a deeper understanding of both conscious and unconscious biases that shape people’s interactions.
Designed for adult learners, the workshop will equip participants with the skills to navigate and engage in meaningful, sometimes uncomfortable, one-on-one conversations. The next Our Stories Connect event will be held 1-4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 9 at Park Avenue Community Center, 129 Park Ave, Swarthmore. Following the Oct.
22 workshop, Media Fellowship House invites community members to participate in this dialogue event to practice storytelling and active listening skills. Whether attending as a storyteller or an active listener, participants will engage with empathy, challenge assumptions, and embrace new perspectives. The workshop is not a prerequisite for the dialogue event, and all are welcome to attend, but must pre-register.
Media Fellowship House, 302 S. Jackson St., Media, will host “Introducing Potluck Porch Parties: Building Community One Meal at a Time,” from 6 to 8 p.
m. every third Thursday, beginning this week. The initiative is meant to further strengthen community bonds.
These gatherings will offer an informal space where community members can come together for good food, fun activities, and meaningful conversations. With a main dish, games, and supplies provided, guests are encouraged to bring sides, desserts, and drinks to share, creating a relaxed environment for building connections and exploring opportunities for community involvement. Both the Our Stories Connect events and Potluck Porch Parties are open to all community members and local organizations.
For more information or to register, visit http://mediafellowshiphouse.org or contact Makeda Redmond at 610-565-0434, ext. 105 or makeda@mediafellowshiphouse.
org. Founded in 1944 by four women of different races, united by friendship and a shared commitment to fellowship and understanding, Media Fellowship House has been a beacon of hope and unity in Delaware County for 80 years. The organization continues its mission to bridge divides, promote diversity, and foster a sense of belonging through programs and events that bring people together.
As a vital resource in the community, Media Fellowship House focuses on fair housing, economic empowerment, and youth and community education, striving to build a stronger, more inclusive society. DCIU offers free ‘The Overscheduled Child’ workshop to parents The Delaware County Intermediate Unit is offering a free virtual workshop, “The Overscheduled Child,” 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 9, to help parents better navigate the often-challenging roadmap of educating their children, especially those with learning challenges. Many children and teens are overwhelmed with intense schedules and are often burdened by school demands, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities and social commitments.
Children and teens struggle to manage the stress and anxiety that are triggered by being overscheduled. This workshop will identify signs that a child is overscheduled, strategies to build executive functioning skills, and tactics to balance a healthy lifestyle with societal expectations. The content of this workshop, presented by Rebecca Sitman, DCIU teaching and learning specialist, is geared toward parents but open to all.
No Act 48 or continuing education credit will be offered if a professional chooses to attend this workshop. The workshop is free, but registration is necessary to receive the Zoom link. Parents should register for this session by 4 p.
m. Monday, Oct. 7 at https://bit.
ly/TheOverscheduledChild . The Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants the day before the training. Delaware County Symphony to present chamber concert Delaware County Symphony will present a chamber concert at 3 p.
m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Meagher Theatre at Neumann University in Aston.
The concert will include individual and small string ensemble performances and feature the “Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor.” Other highlights of the program are “Bach’s Prelude from Suite No.
2” in D minor for solo cello, and cello duets by Domenico Gabrielli and Georg Sothilander. A string quartet will perform the traditional Celtic tunes “Star of the County Down” and “After the Battle of Aughrim.” The concert concludes with the “Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.
1 in D minor” with Liz Kell on flute, Michael Berton on cello and Gary Gress on piano. Tickets for the concert may be purchased at http://dcsmusic.org/tickets.
Garden City and South Media Fire Companies join forces in fundraising drive In a moment’s notice, the volunteers of the Nether Providence Township Fire Department are ready to save lives and protect property. But now, the department — comprised of Garden City and South Media fire companies — are reaching out to the community, asking for help during the annual fundraising campaign with the slogan, “Two Essential Fire Companies, One Crucial Request: Donate.” Both fire companies, which serve over 15,000 residents of the township, Rose Valley and surrounding areas, individually respond to over 930 emergency calls per year ranging from fires, rescues, accidents and more.
In the past year, department volunteers devoted over 9,500 hours to training, saving lives and community outreach. At a time when the department is experiencing rising operational costs and an annual reduction in donations, the 100% volunteerdepartment is seeking tax-deductible donations for the 2024 Annual Fund Drive via www.NPFire.
org to ensure a constant state of readiness. “Inflation has taken a greater toll on our finances this year than ever before, significantly increasing the cost of equipment repairs, maintenance and utilities,” said South Media Fire Company Chief Max Hopkins, “Ensuring that the Nether Providence Township Fire Department is well-funded means that the community remains resilient in the face of emergencies. The fire department is often the first responder in crisis situations, and your support helps ensure we are fully prepared.
” Although a portion of department’s budget is funded by the township and residents’ taxes, it does not sufficiently cover the costs needed to provide 24/7 protection. Each fire company owns its station and is responsible for paying the mortgage, building repairs and capital expenditures, as well as maintaining and occasionally replacing apparatus. Most notably, both companies cover the cost of training, gear and lifesaving apparatus for their firefighter volunteers, with only partial funding provided by the state.
“It is a daily struggle to remain financially solvent,” said Lou DiDomenico, Garden City president. The annual fund drive used to help close the gap on its expenditures, but donations have been on a sharp decline since 2016, dropping from $85,842 to $51,765 in 2023, creating an operational shortfall. In launching the “Two Essential Fire Companies” campaign via social media, press releases and targeted mailings, it is the hope of both Garden City and South Media that residents will have a greater awareness of why donations are needed to support public safety.
“We know that many community members are experiencing the hardships of inflation,” added DiDomenico. “We are asking people to donate whatever they can to help keep our volunteer fire department moving forward.” Tax-deductible donations can be made to http://www.
NPFire.org . Readers can send typed community news press releases and related photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.
com..
